OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of anxiety and depression measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on 1-year HRQoL measured by EuroQol-3L (EQ-5D) and EORTC-QLQ-C30 on patients with colorectal cancer.This aspect of continuity of care could be nowadays a major issue METHODS: This prospective study carried out in 12 Hospitals. At baseline patients fulfilled EQ-5D questionnaire (utility and VAS scale), EORTC-QLQ-C30 (physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social functioning, and global health) and HADS. One year post-surgical management they completed the EQ-5D and EORTC-QLQ-C30. We used general linear models to establish the influence of baseline anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) on changes in HRQoL, adjusted by baseline score and gender. We have used the recommended cut-off points of HADS ≤7 (normal); 8-10 (uncertain) and ≥11 (problem).   RESULTS: There were 778 patients. The mean age (SD) was 67.4 (10.4). Males represented the 62.7%. At baseline, in the HADS-A there were 282 (36.4%) of patients scoring higher than 7 points (17.6% higher than 10 points). In the HADS-D 137 (17.6%) scored higher than 7 and 9.3% were higher than 10 points. Both anxiety and depression at baseline influence the changes in EQ-5D, with less gains in patients with more level of anxiety or depression (p<0.0001). Regarding the EORTC-QLQ-C30 domains, baseline anxiety level impacts significantly in all domains, except in physical functioning, with gains around 5 to 11 points lower in patients with anxiety problems comparing with those classified as normal (all p<0.05). Baseline depression level impacts significantly on changes in role and social functioning, and global health, with gains around 10 to 13 points lower in patients with depression problems (all p<0.01).  CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the importance of providing psychological interventions for cancer patients before surgical management.